Adada River is a big river that flows through Enugu State in Nigeria. It is a major tributary of River Niger and passes through areas where rice is grown. Adada River is a beautiful and clear river that flows all year round, but it is not safe for human consumption or recreational activities. A study was conducted to evaluate the presence of parasites of medical importance in the river.
The study used Stoll’s Counting Method to enumerate and identify the parasites present in the water. The results showed that the Adada River contained 14 genera of parasites during the dry season and 13 during the rainy season.
Ten of these parasites were potential human pathogens, including Taenia spp, Entamoeba histolytica, Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium, Ascaris lumbricoides, Giardia, lamblia, Hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis and Enterobius vermicularis.
The most frequently encountered parasites were Taenia spp, G. lamblia, E. histolytica, hookworm, and S. mansoni. The study concludes that Adada River is not safe for human consumption, recreation, grazing, or agriculture.
The presence of parasites in the water makes it a health risk. Therefore, it is essential to use QMRA, which is a qualitative microbial risk assessment, to evaluate the quality of water. In QMRA, parasites of medical importance should be a significant consideration.
The study also recommends that in environmental microbiology, geographical coordinates of sample sites should be used rather than physical landmarks for better follow-ups. Water is vital for the survival of all living organisms on earth, and preventing water pollution is crucial to their health.
However, waterborne parasite infections are considered a re-emerging threat in developing countries. Water is often contaminated in these countries and is, therefore, unhealthy for human consumption.
Nigeria and Africa, like the entire Third World nations, belong to this classification. Waterborne diseases occur worldwide and have economic consequences beyond the cost of healthcare for affected patients, their families, and contacts. These diseases create a lack of confidence in potable water quality and the water industry in general.
It is, therefore, essential to increase awareness of newly characterized potential parasites or re-emerging parasites to appropriate people and authorities in the medical, public health, and water and food communities.
The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have given selective attention to various sorts of health hazards, such as “Neglected Tropical Diseases” and “Tropical Diseases,” respectively.
The study concludes that emerging pathogens and related waterborne diseases should be considered a worldwide problem and not restricted to sovereignty since human activities are expanding, and travel between different countries and nations is increasing, for both tourism and business.
In conclusion, Adada River, despite its sparkling-clear surface water, is not safe for human consumption, recreation, grazing, or agriculture due to the presence of parasites. Water is vital for the survival of all living organisms, and preventing water pollution is crucial.
Emerging pathogens and related waterborne diseases should be considered a worldwide problem, and measures must be put in place to increase awareness of newly characterized potential parasites or re-emerging parasites to appropriate people and authorities in the medical, public health, and water and food communities.
Read more about the Adada RIver here: http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajmr/9/4/2/index.html
Location:
The river is located between latitude 6°25′ -6°45′ N and 7°00′ E -7°23′ E. Umulokpa, a town, is within 30.6 miles of Adada River.
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